EUROPE WAITS, AMUSED

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 7

EUROPE WAITS, AMUSED

ULTIMATUM TO MADEIRA. bombardment threatened. By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m., London, April 29. Europe .has been waiting for seven hours with more amusement than anxiety for news from Madeira, where, according to the Portuguese Government s ultimatum, a bombardment of Funchal is. fixed positively for five o’clock unless the rejjels have previously surrendered, but there was no word at midnight whether the six warships had carried opt the threat, or whether a landing was attempted from the two transports. The rebels are estimated to number 2000, and are said to possess a number of heavy and machine guns, several having a long range. Trenches have been dug to defend strategic points. All bridges have been mined ready to be blown up, and there are sufficient provisions on the island to last for three months. Meanwhile the general population, while not opposing the dictatorship, is anxious to return to the business of selling embroidery and exporting the early vegetables for which the island is famous. The Admiralty states _ the cruisers London and Curlew are still standing by to safeguard British interests.